OCR Gateway GCSE (9-1) Physics for Combined ScienceThree Year Scheme of Work
This 3-Year Scheme of Work offers a flexible approach for KS4. The suggested timings are based on three science lessons per fortnight (assuming a two week timetable of two lessons one week and one in the other) but can be tailored to suit the needs of a particular class or group of students. Lessons are assumed to be sessions of 40-60 minutes. The teaching scheme is scheduled to finish at end of Year 10 to allow time for revision and GCSE examinations.Please note that there is sometimes allowance for more than one session for a lesson where this may be helpful so on occasion there are fewer than three lessons in a fortnight. The maths skills spreads are numbered as the last spread in a chapter but can be used at any appropriate point according to the needs of your students.
Year / Term / Week / Student Book spread number / Lesson title / Learning objectives / OCR specification reference / Lesson resources (on CD ROM) / Collins Connect resources
Chapter 1: Matter (12 lessons)
9 / 1 / 1/2 / 1.1 / Key concept: Developing ideas for the structure of the atom /
- Understand how ideas about the structure of the atom have changed.
- How evidence is used to test and improve models.
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9 / 1 / 1/2 / 1.2 / Density /
- Use the particle model to explain the different states of matter and differences in density.
- Calculate density.
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9 / 1 / 1/2 / 1.3 / Key concept: Particle model and changes of state /
- Use the particle model to explain states of matter.
- Use ideas about energy and bonds to explain changes of state.
- Explain the relationship between temperature and energy.
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9 / 1 / 3/4 / 1.4 / Practical: To investigate the densities of regular and irregular solid objects and liquids /
- Interpret observations and data.
- Use spatial models to solve problems.
- Plan experiments and devise procedures.
- Use an appropriate number of significant figures in measurements and calculations.
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9 / 1 / 3/4 / 1.5 / Changes of state /
- Describe how, when substances change state, mass is conserved.
- Describe energy transfer in changes of state.
- Explain changes of state in terms of particles.
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9 / 1 / 5/6 / 1.6 / Internal energy /
- Describe the particle model of matter.
- Understand what is meant by the internal energy of a system.
- Describe the effect of heating on the energy stored within a system.
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9 / 1 / 5/6 / 1.7 / Specific heat capacity /
- Describe the effect of increasing the temperature of a system in terms of particles.
- State the factors that are affected by an increase in temperature of a substance.
- Explain specific heat capacity.
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9 / 1 / 5/6 / 1.8 / Specific latent heat /
- Explain what is meant by latent heat.
- Describe that when a change of state occurs it changes the energy stored but not the temperature.
- Perform calculations involving specific latent heat.
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9 / 1 / 7/8 / 1.9 / Maths skills: Drawing and interpreting graphs /
- Plot a graph of temperature against time, choosing a suitable scale.
- Draw a line of best fit (which may be a curve).
- Interpret a graph of temperature against time.
- Comment on the specific heat capacity and specific latent heat of a substance.
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9 / 1 / 7/8 / 1.10 / Practical: Investigating specific heat capacity /
- Use theories to develop a hypothesis.
- Evaluate a method and suggest improvements.
- Perform calculations to support conclusions.
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9 / 1 / 9/10 / 1.11 / Particle motion in gases /
- Relate the temperature of a gas to the average kinetic energy of the particles.
- Explain how a gas has a pressure.
- Explain that changing the temperature of a gas held at constant volume changes its pressure.
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9 / 1 / 9/10 / 1.12 / Maths skills: Handling data /
- Recognise the difference between mean, mode and median.
- Explain the use of tables and frequency tables.
- Explain when to use scatter diagrams, bar charts and histograms.
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9 / 1 / 9/10 / Assessment / End of chapter test Student Book
End of chapter test Collins Connect
Chapter 2: Forces (20 lessons)
9 / 1 / 11/12 / 2.1 / Scalars and vectors /
- Define distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration.
- Recognise the difference between scalar and vector quantities.
- State examples of scalar and vector quantities.
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9 / 1 / 11/12 / 2.2 / Speed /
- Calculate speed using distance travelled divided by time taken.
- Calculate speed from a distance–time graph.
- Recall that distance = speed time
- Measure the gradient of a distance–time graph at any point.
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9 / 1 / 11/12 / 2.3 / Acceleration /
- Describe acceleration.
- Calculate acceleration.
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9 / 2 / 1/2 / 2.4 / Calculations of motion /
- Describe motion with uniform acceleration.
- Use an equation for motion with uniform acceleration.
- Apply this equation to vertical motion.
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9 / 2 / 1/2 / 2.5 / Velocity–time graphs(HT) /
- Draw velocity–time graphs.
- Calculate acceleration using a velocity–time graph.
- Calculate displacement using a velocity–time graph.(HT)
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9 / 2 / 1/2 / 2.6 / Maths skills: Making estimates of calculations /
- Estimate the results of simple calculations.
- Round numbers to make an estimate.
- Calculate order of magnitude.
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9 / 2 / 3/4 / 2.7 / Forces explain how objects interact(HT) /
- Describe a force.
- Recognise the difference between contact and non-contact forces.
- State examples of scalar and vector quantities.
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9 / 2 / 3/4 / 2.8 / Forces and motion(HT) /
- Understand what a force does.
- Explain what happens to an object if all the forces acting on it cancel each other out.
- Analyse how this applies to everyday situations.
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9 / 2 / 3/4 / 2.9 / Resultant forces(HT) /
- Calculate the resultant of a number of forces.
- Draw free-body diagrams to find resultant forces.
- Understand that a force can be resolved into two components acting at right angles to each other.(HT)
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9 / 2 / 5/6 / 2.10 / Forces and acceleration (HT) /
- Explain what happens to the motion of an object when the resultant force is not zero.
- Analyse situations in which a non-zero resultant force is acting.
- Explain what inertia is.(HT)
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9 / 2 / 5/6 / 2.11 / Momentum(HT only) /
- Explain what is meant by momentum.
- Apply ideas about rate of change of momentum to safety features in cars.
- Use momentum calculations to predict what happens in a collision.
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9 / 2 / 5/6 / 2.12 / Practical: Investigating the acceleration of an object /
- Plan an investigation to explore an idea.
- Analysing results to identify patterns and draw conclusions.
- Compare results with scientific theory.
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9 / 2 / 7/8 / 2.13 / Newton’s third law /
- Identify force pairs.
- Understand and be able to apply Newton’s third law.
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9 / 2 / 7/8 / 2.14 / Work done and energy transfer /
- Understand what is meant by work done.
- Explain the relationship between work done and force applied.
- Identify the transfers between energy stores when work is done against friction.
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9 / 2 / 7/8 / 2.15 / Understanding power /
- Define power.
- Compare the rate of energy transfer by various machines and electrical appliances.
- Calculate power.
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9 / 2 / 9/10 / 2.16 / Key concept: Forces and acceleration /
- Recognise examples of balanced and unbalanced forces.
- Apply ideas about speed and acceleration to explain sensations of movement.
- Apply ideas about inertia and circular motion to explain braking and cornering.
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9 / 2 / 9/10 / 2.17 / Forces and energy in springs /
- Explain why you need two forces to stretch a spring.
- Describe the difference between elastic and inelastic deformation.
- Calculate extension, compression and elastic potential energy.
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9 / 2 / 9/10 / 2.18 / Practical: Investigate the relationship between force and the extension of a spring /
- Interpret readings to show patterns and trends.
- Interpret graphs to form conclusions.
- Apply the equation for a straight line to the graph.
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9 / 2 / 11/12 / 2.19 / Potential energy /
- Consider what happens when a spring is stretched.
- Describe what is meant by gravitational potential energy.
- Calculate the energy stored by an object raised above ground level.
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9 / 2 / 11/12 / 2.20 / Heavy or massive? /
- Identify the correct units for mass and weight.
- Explain the difference between mass and weight.
- Understand how weight is an effect of gravitational fields.
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9 / 2 / 11/12 / Assessment / End of chapter test Student Book
End of chapter test Collins Connect
End of teaching block test Collins Connect
Chapter 3: Electricity and Magnetism (21 lessons)
9 / 3 / 1/2 / 3.1 / Static electricity /
- Describe how insulating materials can become charged.
- Know that there are two kinds of electric charge.
- Explain these observations in terms of electron transfer.
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9 / 3 / 1/2 / 3.2 / Electric charge and currents /
- Recall that an electric current is a rate of flow of electric charge.
- Recall that current has the same value at any point in a single closed loop.
- Recall and use the relationship between quantity of charge, current and time.
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9 / 3 / 1/2 / 3.3 / Electric circuits and potential difference /
- Know circuit symbols.
- Recall that current (I) depends on resistance (R) and potential difference (V)
- Explain how an electric current passes round a circuit.
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9 / 3 / 3/4 / 3.4 / Series and parallel circuits /
- Recognise series and parallel circuits.
- Describe the changes in the current and potential difference in series and parallel circuits.
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9 / 3 / 3/4 / 3.5 / Resistance /
- Set up a circuit to investigate resistance.
- Investigate the changing resistance of a filament lamp.
- Compare the properties of a resistor and filament lamp.
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9 / 3 / 3/4 / 3.6 / Practical: Use circuit diagrams to set up and check appropriate circuits to investigate the factors affecting resistance /
- Use a circuit to determine resistance.
- Gather valid data to use in calculations.
- Apply the circuit to determine the resistance of different components.
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9 / 3 / 5/6 / 3.7 / Investigating circuits /
- Use series circuits to test components and make measurements.
- Carry out calculations on series circuits.
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9 / 3 / 5/6 / 3.8 / Control circuits /
- Use a thermistor and light-dependent resistor (LDR).
- Investigate the properties of thermistors, LDRs and diodes.
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9 / 3 / 5/6 / 3.9 / Power and energy transfers /
- Describe the energy transfers in different domestic appliances.
- Describe power as a rate of energy transfer.
- Calculate the energy transferred.
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9 / 3 / 7/8 / 3.10 / Calculating power /
- Calculate power.
- Use power equations to solve problems.
- Consider power ratings and changes in stored energy.
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9 / 3 / 7/8 / 3.11 / Practical: Investigating series and parallel circuits /
- Use a circuit to determine resistance.
- Gather valid data to use in calculations.
- Apply the circuit to determine the resistance of combinations of components.
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9 / 3 / 9/10 / 3.12 / Key concept: What’s the difference between potential difference and current? /
- Understand and be able to apply the concepts of current and potential difference.
- Use these concepts to explain various situations.
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9 / 3 / 9/10 / 3.13 / Maths skills: Using algebra in electric circuit calculations /
- Solve algebraic equations including using appropriate substitutions, numerical values and units.
- Change the subject of an equation.
- Use the symbols =, <, <, >, >, ~.
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9 / 3 / 9/10 / 3.14 / Maths skills: Using formulae and understanding graphs /
- Recognise how algebraic equations define the relationships between variables.
- Solve simple algebraic equations by substituting numerical values.
- Describe relationships expressed in graphical form.
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9 / 3 / 11/12 / 3.15 / Magnetism and magnetic forces /
- Explain what is meant by the poles of a magnet.
- Plot the magnetic field around a bar magnet.
- Describe magnetic materials and induced magnetism.
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9 / 3 / 11/12 / 3.16 / Compasses and magnetic fields /
- Describe the Earth’s magnetic field.
- Describe the magnetic effect of a current.
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9 / 3 / 11/12 / 3.17(HT) / Magnetic effects /
- Draw the magnetic field around a conducting wire and a solenoid.
- Describe the force on a wire in a magnetic field.(HT)
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10 / 1 / 1/2 / 3.18 / Calculating the force on a conductor(HT only) /
- Explain the meaning of magnetic flux density, B.
- Calculate the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field.
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10 / 1 / 1/2 / 3.19 / Electric motors(HT only) /
- List equipment that uses motors.
- Describe how motors work.
- Describe how to change the speed and direction of rotation of a motor.
- Explain how a dynamo generates direct current.
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10 / 1 / 1/2 / 3.20 / Key concept: The link between electricity and magnetism(HT only) /
- Explore how electricity and magnetism are connected.
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10 / 1 / 3/4 / 3.21 / Maths skills: Rearranging equations(HT only) /
- Change the subject of an equation.
- Explain how the potential differences in two circuits linked by a transformer depend on the ratio of the numbers of turns.
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10 / 1 / 3/4 / Assessment / End of chapter test Student Book
End of chapter test Collins Connect
End of teaching block test Collins Connect
End of year test Collins Connect
Chapter 4: Waves and radioactivity (21 lessons)
10 / 1 / 5/6 / 4.1 / Describing waves /
- Describe wave motion.
- Define wavelength and frequency.
- Apply the relationship between wavelength, frequency and wave velocity.
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10 / 1 / 5/6 / 4.2 / Transverse and longitudinal waves /
- Compare the motion of transverse and longitudinal waves.
- Explain why water waves are transverse waves.
- Explain why sound waves are longitudinal waves.
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10 / 1 / 5/6 / 4.3 / Measuring wave speeds(HT) /
- Explain how the speed of sound in air can be measured.
- Explain how the speed of water ripples can be measured.
- Describe the use of echo sounding. (HT)
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10 / 1 / 7/8 / 4.4 / Practical: Measuring the wavelength, frequency and speed of waves in a ripple tank and waves in a solid /
- Develop techniques for making observations of waves.
- Select suitable apparatus to measure frequency and wavelength.
- Use data to answer questions.
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10 / 1 / 7/8 / 4.5 / Maths skills: Using and rearranging equations /
- Select and apply the equations T = 1/f and v = fλ.
- Substitute numerical values into equations using appropriate units.
- Change the subject of an equation.
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10 / 1 / 9/10 / 4.6 / Key concept: Transferring energy or information by waves /
- Understand that all waves have common properties.
- Understand how waves can be used to carry information.
- Understand various applications of energy transfer by different types of electromagnetic waves.